Charles latimer



' Patented Aug. 24, 1852.

C. 'LATIMER.

Signal Light.

UNITE TATES PATEN OFFCE.

CHARLES LATIMER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SIGNAL-TELEGRAPH.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 9,217, dated August 24, 1852.

of signals may be made at night, and in such a manner that they may be distinguished from any direction without danger of mistake.

The system consists of five cornets and ten numbers, and requires in their combination five white and three red lights. These cornets are used on ship board at the mast head, and the numbers at the yard arms, or at any convenient position beneath the cornet. The cornets distinguish the species, and denote the time of commencement, and completion .of a signal. The numbers compose the various signals of which the particular cornet hoisted at the time of making signal indicates the character, and the numbers are hoisted, the one after the other, each being separately answered by the party to whom the signal is made.

In signaling there are generally two signal books, one called the common signal bookcomposed of sentences or orders, opposite to each of which is a number; the other the telegraphic signal book composed entirely of words, opposite to each of which there is also a number. In the former are used the common, preparatory, and interrogatory co-rnets. If the preparatory cornet be used in making a signal, it would signify that preparation is to be made to execute the order indicated by the signal. If the common cornet be used for the same signal, it indicates that the order is to be executed at once, and if the interrogatory cornet be used it signifies that permission is wished to execute the maneuver indicated by the signal. The interrogatory cornet not only asks permission, but changes all affirmative into interrogative signals. If the telegraphic cornet be aloft, it is known at once that the signal is to be found in the telegraphic signal boo-k. The numerical cornet in independent of both signal books; it simply indicates that the signal is the expression of so many figures.

Examples: To make the signals 586 signifying anchor. To make it first with preparatory, hoist the preparatory cornet tothe mast head, and the first figure 5 at one of the yard arms; this being answered by the ship or ships to which the signal is made, haul down the 5 and hoist No. 8; when answered haul down, and hoist No. 6; when answered, haul down both number and cornet; the signal reads Prepare to anchor. Substituting the common cornet and making the signal in the same manner it signifies the order to the ships to anchor. If the interrogatory be substituted it reads then Shall I anchor? To make never give up the ship 124.0, 789, 4326, 4120, 3687, use the telegraphic cornet and make the signal in the same manner as above observing to lower the cornet on finishing the first never word 1240 and hoisting it again on the display of the first figure of the signal indicating the next w rd, and so wit-h the remainder when the cornet is hauled entirely down. To make 537, signifying latitude, interrogatively, hoist the interrogatory cornet and make the number as above directed, and the signal will read What is your latitude? To answer this question by showing the latitude, the numerical cornet must be used, observing to lower the cornet on finishing to make the degrees, and hoisting it again on commencing the minutes.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and wish to secure by Letters Patent is- The formation of a complete system of telegraphic signals by means of a vertical arrangement of white and colored lights or their equivalents by which any number and species of signals may be made with ease and simplicity.

CHARLES LATIMER.

Witnesses:

F. S. MYER, W. A. RIND. 

